Good schools start with good leadership

As a longtime teacher and current substitute teacher, I am pleased that the Gates Foundation is once again looking toward improving education in Oregon ("How to turn our schools around," commentary, March 1). However, it is not news to once again blame teachers for the shortcomings of our system. As with any business, positive output can be directly linked to management and strong leadership. So where is the discussion about principals, their job descriptions and qualifications, and whether or not they are effective leaders? How can teachers possibly be effective when their day is spent dealing with a myriad of discipline problems that should be handled by the principal? Why are the frontline workers (teachers, secretaries, etc.) blamed for what is clearly a lack of strong leadership and consistent support?

I am fortunate to have subbed in many schools throughout our city, and the one constant absence I have found is in consistent leadership and support for issues of student behavior. For the most part, the students I have had the pleasure of meeting are very interested in learning and maturing, and they are equally tired of the time spent on the few kids who are, for whatever reasons (and there are many), struggling in mainstream classrooms. It is no wonder that learning objectives are not always met when the teacher's time is primarily spent dealing with behavioral issues that have no place in a learning environment.

Having been a business manager before becoming a teacher, I am well aware of whose "fault" it is when the business fails to thrive. Why don't we insist that principals conduct at least biannual performance reviews of all staff and submit their findings and recommendations for improvements to the teacher, the union and the superintendent? Similarly, allow all teachers to evaluate their principals at least biannually without fear of reprisal. Why don't we stop spending a fortune on "professional development" and tie those trainings to the performance reviews to ensure that teachers and principals are getting what they need?

One more idea: Let's stop blaming teachers for what's wrong with education and look to the top. After all, performance and attitude reflect leadership.